Easel and notebook construction



April 23, 1940. F, 5 s D 2,198,507

EASEL ANO NOTEBOOK CONSTRUCTION Filed July 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR F PWK 524/1/15) 490mb: BY

ATTORN EYS P 3, 1940. F. s. SCHADE 2.198.507

EASEL AND NOTEBOOK CONSTRUCTION Filed July 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR fiM/v/r 57A A/LE YSc/MDE 64%, 9 AT ORNEYS Patented Apr. 23, 1940 new? PATENT OFFICE EASEL AND NOTEBOOK CONSTRUCTION Frank Stanley Schade, Holyoke, Mass, assignor to National Blank Book Company, 'Holyoke, 7 Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 24, 1939, Serial No. 286,120

14 Claims,

This invention relates to improvements in notebook holders and has particular reference to that type of holder which is employed with, for instance, a stenographers notebook to allow the user to set the book up like an easel and read the contents while transcribing dictation on a typewriter,

Patents on devices of this general sort have been issued from time to time but due to the relatively expensive construction, lack of maneuverability, and other disadvantageousfeatures of the disclosed structures, no device of this sort, so far as I know, has come into general and accepted use. My structure not only obviates the difficulties of these constructions as described in earlier patents but in addition has such' a simplicity of constructionand advantage in arrangement that not only i's its field of applicability greatly increased, but its use is renderedpractical both from the manufacturers and 'consumers standpoint.

As will appear, my improved structure when added to existing forms of notebooks not only gives the user the inherent advantages of this 25 type of notebook holder, butit also does not hinder or make less available the normal use of the notebook with which it is associated as did the earlier described structures.

The foregoing and other advantages will appear from a reading of the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a notebook pro- Vided with my novel structure, the notebook being closed;

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but with the notebook set up for use in transcription;

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged detail sectional views taken on lines 4-4 and 5-5 of Figs. land 3 respectively;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view showing the book opened for writing on the sheets;

Fig, 7 is a View like'Fig. 1 but of a modified form of structure and looking at the back cover;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the structure in Fig. '7 with the notebook set up for use in transcription;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 99 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan View showing a modification of the structure of Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, I have shown my invention associated with one well-known form forms will, as the description proceeds, be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the notebook consists of a pack of notebook sheets 3 having front and back covers 5 and t with a helically wound binding means 1 threaded through holes 8 formed both in the covers and in the sheets adjacent one edge thereof.

Attached to the front cover 5 as, for instance, by adhesive, is an anchor tab Hi. It is preferably made of cardboard, A similar anchor tab It and a saddle or guide l2 are likewise secured to the backcover 6. As is apparent in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, each anchor tab I0 and II as well as the saddle I2, has its upper portion unsecured to its respective cover to allow a limited hinging action. The anchor tabs It and II have eyes Hi and the saddle l2 2. hole I 5 formed in their respective loose upper portions.

A longitudinally yielding flexible bow-string or connector I6 of any suitable composition such as plain rubber, an elastic cord or its equivalent, such as a fine spring with very small coils, is attached by anchor members IT to each of the anchor tabs Ill and H and threads the hole 85 in saddle l2, see Figs. 2 and 5. As is plain in Fig. 4, each anchor member is in the form of a sleeve which is crimped about the extremity of the connector I6 and has a hook-shaped end l8 which is hooked into the eye I 4 of each anchor tab. In assembly, the anchor tabs It] and H andsaddle l2 are secured to the covers as illustrated;v Then the bow-string IS with the anchor members attachedis secured to one anchor tab, the connector l6 threaded through the hole I 5 in the saddle and the second anchor member ll hooked into the eye M of the other anchor tab.

The distance around the outside of the covers between the anchor tabs I0 and II is always about as shown and the bow-string I6 is cut so that for the length between tabs it is under only a moderate tension which is sufiicient to keep it snugly against the covers when the book is in the fiat position of Fig. 6, On the other hand, the tab Ill and saddle l2 are located about opposite each other as indicated, and preferably at a distance from the hinge about a quarter to a third of the distance from the binding edge, to properly guide the bow-string as'the covers are placed in various positions. Also the saddle serves -to hold the bow-string taut in the position of 'Fig. 3 so that the covers will not spread eagle as they would if the bow-string of the length shown and under a moderate tension in the closed position of Figs. 1 and 2 spanned directly from anchor tab In to tab II. This arrangement is very effective in prolonging the useful life of the bow-string for by keeping merely a slight tory operation under all circumstances.

reader:

covers and are attached thereto.

Vfhen it is desired to copy:.from the-notebook the cover is swung about the-rbinding means from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3 where it forms the back supportfor the, cover 6 and the pack of sheets 3, In this position the connector It acts as a tie rod to keep :thenOtebook in the position indicated, the saddle I2 forming a support forthe "bow-string The exact angle between-the covers-5- and -6 in-the position of Fig. 3 is determined by the relative weight of the various notebook-parts in relation to the tension of the bow-string or connector H5. The position shown is approximately the normal one. Itis obvious, however, that the angle between covers 5 and 6 can be varied somewhat by simplypressing down on the binding means, 1 for the-bow-stringlB can slacken on or assume a slight tension. The covers will ordinarily retain this new angle if the change is not {too great, due to the weightof the book or friction-between the loweredges of the covers and the surface on which the notebook is resting.

Asisclear from the-drawings, as the sheets are read they may be turned around the binding means "1 so that they lie on the cover 5. The

drawingin Fig. 3-shows part ofthe sheetsin that position now, but with the-main-portion'on cover 6. Of'course, either side of the sheets may be read depending on which cover is facing the Also, referring'to Fig; 6, the notebook can-easily-be laid down flat on the table and be written on-as withthe usualnotebookhaving no holding device.

As is apparent from the drawings, all of these operations can-be carried on at will by the user and his only problem is'thesimple "oneof-plaoing the notebook in the desired position. The

notebook holder adapts itself to the various positions of the notebook-automatically. This "is particularly evidentfrom an examination of Figs. 3-and 6, where it can be seen that'the notebook holder not only performs its function of "holding the -notebook-in position in :the former figure when the notes are being referred "to,ibut also lies flat against the covers and interferes-in no -.way when the-book is'being written in.

:Another feature of the structure of Figs. 1 to 6 is the factthat all of the parts that go to make upthe notebookholder lie on the outsideofthe This arrangement has a two-fold advantage.v In the first place, there are no humps .on the inside of the covers, underlying the notebook sheets and therefore the notebook can be written on in 1 its :flat

position of Fig. 6 down to the last sheet, and'the userinsoiar as his writing is concerned, is :completely oblivious of the fact that the notebook holder is in the book. This is so, no .matter on which cover the particular sheet being written on is :lying.

lnthesecond place, the notebook holder can be attachedito anyvnotebook without any cutting or special fitting operation because it is attached wholly to the outside of the covers and this includes those notebooks having sewed bindings as well as the one shown. Furthermore, the retail dealer and the user can themselves attach the easel accessory to the customary notebooks.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 9, the structure can be somewhat modified as indicated to eliminate the anchor tabslfl and H .and saddle l2 where a bow-string is used in which the ends are joined to form a continuous loop. In the following description I will disclose my arrangement where a rubber band serves as a bow-string but its lequal applicability to other forms of bowstrings willbe-readily apparent to those skilled in the-art. Coven- 6, see Fig. 7, has cut in it a series of triangular slits 2G terminating in holes 2|. Directly-above these slits 20 are a pair of holes -22. The slits 20 with the holes 2i receive and hold one looped end of a rubberband -24 -which serves as-a bow-stringasshowh. The band-24 is then-passed through the'holes22; over the edge of coveriiand is securedto theother cover5 by means of "a similar arrangement or simply by another triangular slit =2H' loeated in the second-cover.

When the book is opened to the position'o'fFig. 8, the rubber band holds the covers as shown. In'this case, the holes 22 in cover "6 serve the function of saddle IZ in the earlier described arrangement.

By-providing several slitslllasshown, the tension of 'therband24- can be varied according to thelengthof the band so. that it is not under undue tension when the book is closed-as in Fig. '7.

Also, the holes 22 aremade so that-the band-2i passes=through them easily, and-this allowsthe band .to 'asume the position of .Fig.' 8 without binding so that the .portionoflbandatl 25 isnot under a..hi'ghztension withzthe portionat ZGrelaxed. By this arrangement itiis1 possible .tolinsure maximum life to the band .amdm'ot cause the user .theitrouble of replacing .it before the book .isfilled during normaluse.

With this arrangement,1as appears in Fig. 9, the aloopeduend 21 of the :band .lies between "the outer of the sheets 3 and the cover- 6, andcmight cause a hump on 'thesersheetsawhich'would interfere with-writing thereon. However,.this..difficultyjmay be solved by :makingpthetwo outer sheets 2810f .thickermaterial to presentzasmooth backing for writing on the remaining sheets.

.Referring toFig. 10,'the slits $20 and 20' and holes-Mean be replaced asindicated'zby thetwo tongues 30 and 31, respectively, formed byoutting substantially semi-cylindrical portions (out :of the ,material of the coversand providing the tongues with holes '32 -and,33. The rubber band 2.6 is then attached-as indicated.

vThe'arrangements shown byJFigS. '7 to 10,-have the disadvantage that some cutting isinecessary to provide for the attaohmentof the bandit,

but they do provide an exceedingly neat-annd inexpensive structure in which the bowestringrcan easily'be replacedby the user in case of-failure.

From the standpoint of the manufacturer these forms areparticularly convenient as the -n;eoessary operations to prepare the,book-for the attachment of the bow-stringvareeasily andiinexpensivelymade and do notaffect therfunctioning,

of the notebook even though the bow-string is not included.

As indicated above, the covers 5 and G:may be formed differently, as shown, or theyzmayboth be made like 'the'cover 6. The second method-has the advantage of imposing less strain upon the band 24 since it has greater length on each side of the hinge binding, and also permits the covers to be made with a single cutting die and without the necessity of handling the covers throughout their manufacture in two distinct groups. The first method leaves one cover more nearly free of the band, which is advantageous in, case it is to bear printing.

Finally, the notebook holder becaus of its arrangement, even though it is a fixture added to a notebook, adapts itself so easily and unobtrusively to the various positions of the notebook that its advantages of operation are not, as with devices described in early patents, overridden by the difiiculties of using the holder to perform its function or of disposing of the holder when it is not being used in its function.

As is apparent from the above, my conception of a new means to accomplish the desired function not only obviates the difficulties of the structures described in earlier patents but also has such a simplicity of construction and advantageous arrangement that not only is its field of applicability increased but it also contributes substantially to the art in providing a structure which is practical, useful and desirable, from the manufacturers, the retailer's, and the consumers standpoint.

What I claim is:

1. In a notebook holder of the type described, a yielding bow-string, a pair of anchor tabs, and means to attach the ends of said bow-string to said anochor tabs, said tabs and bow-string being arranged to be attached wholly to the outside covers of a notebook with one tab attached to each cover and the bow-string passing over the binding edge of the notebook for the purpose described.

2. In a notebook holder of the type described, a yielding bow-string, a pair of anchor tabs, means to attach the ends of said bow-string to said anchor tabs and a third tab having guiding means thereon to support said bow-string, said tabs and bow-string being arranged to be attached wholly to outside covers of a notebook with one anchor tab and the third tab on one cover and the second anchor tab on the other cover with the bow-string passing over the binding edge of the notebook for the purpose described.

3. In combination with a notebook having a pack of sheets bound together along one edge and outer covers between which said pack of sheets is contained, a notebook holder consisting of a pair of anchor tabs, one attached to the outside of each cover, a yielding bow-string stretched between said tabs on the outside of said covers and passing over the binding for said pack, and means to attach said bow-string to said anchor tabs.

4. In combination with a notebook having a pack of sheets bound together along one edge and outer covers between which said pack of sheets is contained, a notebook holder consisting of a pair of anchor tabs, one attached to the outside of each cover, a yielding bow-string stretched between said tabs on the outside of said covers and passing over the binding for said pack, means to attach said bow-string to said anchor tabs and;v a third tab attached to one of said covers intermediate one of said anchor tabs and the bound edge of said pack, said third tab having means to guide and tension said bow-string as the notebook is placed in various positions for the purpose described.

5. The structure of claim 4 with said third tab being located substantially opposite the anchor tab on the other cover.

6. The combination of a notebook and an easel construction, the latter consisting of an elastic cord having one end anchored on the outside of one book cover close to the bottom cover edge, said cord extending up and over the bound edge of the book and anchored on the outside of the other cover a substantial distance below the bound edge, said elastic cord being under sufficient tension when the book is closed to keep the cord snugly against thebook and when open to act with the covers as an easel for the book.

7. The combination as pointed out in claim 6, having tabs stuck to the covers to anchor the elastic cord at the ends.

8. In a stenographers notebook or the like having a pair of stiff covers, a filler, and a spiral wire binding passing through the covers and fillers, an elastic member secured at its ends to the covers and passing between the wires of the spiral binding and supporting means intermediate the ends of said elastic member and carried by one cover to slidably support said elastic member for the purpose described.

9. In a stenographers notebook or the like having a pair of stifi covers and a hinge-like bind-' ing, an elastic member passing across the binding margin and connected with the covers at a distance from the! binding margin on the order of a quarter to a third of the length of the cover, at least one of the covers having said connection slidable and having an anchorage for the end of the elastic member remote from the binding margin.

10. A stenographers note book or the like having a pair of stifi covers and a hinge-like binding, at least one of said covers having a pair of spaced apertures positioned at a distance from the binding margin on the order of a quarter to a third of the length of the cover and a cut-out tab at a greater distance from the binding margin, an elastic band looped about said tab and extending successively through the holes and over the binding, and a device on the second cover about opposite said holes for engaging the second end of the band.

11. A stenographers notebook or the like having a pair of stiff covers and a hinge-like binding, both of said covers having a pair of spaced apertures! positioned at a distance from the binding margin on the order of a quarter to a third of the length of the cover and a cut-out tab at a greater distance from the binding margin, and an elastic band looped about each of said tabs and extending successively through the holes and over the binding.

12. A stenographers notebook or the like having a pair of stiff covers and a hinge-like binding, one of the covers having a pair of spaced apertures positioned at a distance from the binding margin on the order of a quarter to a third of the length of the cover and a cut-out tab at a greater distance from the binding margin, a cutout tab in the second cover about opposite said holes, and an elastic band looped about said tabs, extending over the binding and successively through the holes.

13. A stenographers notebook or the like having a hinge portion, an elastic member extending around the hinge portion, means to anchor the extremities of the member to the covers, and supporting means :intermediate the anchor -means and carried by one cover, to -slidably support the elastic member in an angularipath between said anchored extremities when-the'notebook is open and in easel position as described.

14. In a stenographersinotebook or the like having a pair of stiff covers and a hinge-like binding, an "elastic member passing across the binding margin, means to connect the elastic member withvthe covers at a distance from the .binding.margin ion theorder of:a quartertoa third of the length of the cover, and supporting means intermediate, said connecting meansand carried by one cover and in-slidingengagement with said member to support said member in an angular path between said covers when the notebook, is open andin easel position as described. FRANK STANLEY'SCHADE. 

